As a member of CREATE – Ireland’s national development agency for collaborative arts in social and community contexts, I’m very excited to contribute to CREATE ‘s upcoming ‘Collaborating on Climate Justice and National Networking Day’ in Dublin Ireland, on Thurs 19 Oct with TASC (Think tank for Action on Social Change) and the wonderful John Gibbons of ThinkorSwim.com & Matt Coopers Radio programme. Booking details here
I’ll be speaking on broader #ecojustice and integrated principles from the peoples’ Earth Charter to guide our collaborative creative activities toward addressing intersecting social and environmental challenges. This is part of a paradigm shift in global education toward an equitable sustainability, and ecoliteracy is no small thing – it means rethinking arts education and creative practice beyond personal and collective wellbeing to also think and act for planetary and intergenerational wellbeing in all we do.
Delighted to be contributing as a CREATE member and I will also share examples of ecoliteracy training I provided over the last year to the The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Invitation to Colloborate Scheme Gnáthóga Nadúrtha Natural Habitats project between the Arts Offices of Carlow (Project Lead), Kildare and Meath, 3 creative-led community wetlands restoration projects Drummin Bog Carlow, Ballydermot bog Kildare and Girley Bog Meath and Dr Anita McKeown, FRSA, FIPM and lead artists Jules Michael, Monica de Bath Dr. Kate Flood & creatives working with communities in those three counties.
Acknowledgements
Thank you Damien McGlynn and the CREATE Team.
Deeply grateful to Sinead Dowling & Aileen Nolan Carlow Arts Office, Jules Michael, Dr Kate Flood, Monica de Bath, Carole Nelson, Dr Anita McKeown and other brilliant creatives involved in the 3-county Gnathoga Nadúrtha programme and also to the Drummin Bog Project and all who live in Drummin bog, Carlow.
Hello! Kia Ora! Dia daoibh!
I’m Cathy Fitzgerald, an ecological artist, educator, and founder of Haumea Ecoversity. Originally from Aotearoa New Zealand, I’ve lived in rural Ireland, the home of my ancestors, for over 30 years. Together with my philosopher colleague Dr Nikos Patedakis (USA), we’ve guided over 400 creative professionals worldwide in transformative ecoliteracy training since 2019.
Haumea Ecoversity Community Membership is the next chapter of this work—a vibrant space for lifelong learning, collective wisdom, and creative transformation for a more beautiful, just, and life-sustaining world.
Dr Cathy Fitzgerald
“In these times of great challenge, I’m passionate about bringing ecoliteracy—including new ecological thinking, values, language, and head-heart-body practices—to creative, sustainability and cultural sectors. These areas have a crucial leadership role: they can inspire communities to embrace new values and actions for living well on Earth, together with all life.”
About Cathy
- Ecological Artist: Creator of the ongoing Hollywood Forest Story with new-to-Ireland continuous cover forestry (begun 2008).
- Educator & Advisor: Accredited ESD Earth Charter educator, Creative Drummin Carlow Bog project ecoliteracy advisor.
- Researcher & Mentor: Specialist in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at Haumea Ecoversity.com
In 2022, I was honoured to be nominated by Earth Charter International and UNESCO Chair for ESD as Earth Charter Focal Point Communicator for Ireland
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